What The New Rays Stadium In St. Pete Could Look Like
We have a major update for the new Rays stadium! St. Petersburg City Council approved the agreements for construction and funding for the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. 5 votes were needed for approval and the final vote was 5-3.
So what comes next for the new Rays stadium?
Now that we know that the Rays are staying in St. Petersburg, what are the next steps in the process? Well, the Pinellas County Commission needs to vote to commit $312.5 million in tax dollars. If that’s approved, then we’ll be looking at a new baseball stadium in a few years! According to the Tampa Bay Times, the funding would come from taxes collected on stays at hotels and short-term rentals, which have been plentiful for Pinellas in recent years and which can be used for a narrow range of purposes, including sporting venues.
The voting is set to take place on July 30, but could be postponed if commissioners need more time to consider the plan. However one commissioner is ready for a vote. Commissioner René Flowers has spoken favorably for the deal and is excited to discuss it with her colleagues.
What can we expect it to look like?
According to the proposal from Hines/Rays, the expected stadium can hold 30,000 people. The space will be used for civic events, concerts, festivals, and of course Rays baseball. They expect the use of distinctive overhangs, canopies, outdoor terraces, and a unifying square-hipped roof. A few renderings have been revealed since the development team has been announced. Check out the most recent design below.
5 Things In Tropicana Field That Need To Be In The New Rays Stadium
The Rays Touch Tank
It’s a stadium must-see for the Rays. The sting ray touch tank is a tribute to the original Rays uniform and is the first of its kind at a professional sports venue. For the new stadium, we would love to see a bigger tank where maybe you can take standing photos against the glass with the sting rays.
Party In The Outfield
One of the Trop’s newest additions, The Budweiser Porch, out in centerfield is a great spot to hang before or during the game! The area features a long bar which makes it easy to get your beer and back to your spot. There’s also exclusive food stands here like Beer Battered Fries from Pig & Potato or the Hawaiian Hot Dog from Pacific Counter. Needless to say there definitely needs to be an outfield hang spot in the new stadium.
BallPark & Rec Lounge
Another great addition to the Trop that we would hate to see go. An arcade lounge indoors and outdoors that’s a great spot to hang before or after the game. It helps that there are two Tampa Bay Park and Rec locations so it will still feel fitting to include them in the new stadium.
Beans & Barlour
The most bougie milkshakes in baseball, but they are WORTH IT! Pro tip: they’re even better when you add whiskey! We can’t imagine the new stadium without this foodie staple.
The Rays Museum/162 Landing
Life-long and newbie Rays fans love to reminisce at the Rays Museum that features the history of the franchise since its inception. 162 Landing is another great spot to look back and remember one of the Rays most iconic wins. We hope the new stadium finds a way to incorporate Longo’s winning home runs and all the other milestones the Rays have reached since becoming a team back in the 90’s.
